JD Vance claims Russia concedes on Ukraine negotiations

On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." He asserted that for the first time in three and a half years, Russia has made significant concessions regarding its negotiations to end the war with Ukraine. Vance highlighted that the Russians are becoming more flexible about their core demands, although he acknowledged that a complete resolution has yet to be achieved. The vice president expressed confidence in making progress toward peace, emphasizing an agenda that acknowledges Ukraine's territorial integrity following the war, which was one of the initial major demands from the beginning of the conflict. Vance elaborated on the complex diplomatic efforts being undertaken by the Trump administration, indicating that these efforts are aimed at finding a middle ground between Russia and Ukraine to stop the ongoing violence. He noted that while there are times of great progress in talks with the Russians, frustration still exists, particularly when negotiations stall. Vance also mentioned that the recognition of Ukraine's future territorial integrity represents a significant development, marking a shift in Russia's stance. The vice president was queried on the timing and potential outcomes of negotiations, especially as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the absence of a scheduled meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Lavrov underscored the need for an actionable agenda before any high-level meetings could proceed. While Vance acknowledged the complex nature of the negotiations, he remained hopeful about the potential for peace, despite the lack of a concrete timeline for resolution. Moreover, the discussion covered concerns about leveraging pressure to bring Russia to the table for effective negotiations. Vance stated that there needs to be an understanding of what key factors could induce Russian cooperation in the peace process. His comments reflected a broader U.S. interest in ensuring a stable resolution to the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, as the conflict's continuation poses risks not only regionally but also on a global scale.